

Out of work actor Joe volunteers to help try and save his sister's local church for the community by putting on a Christmas production of Hamlet, somewhat against the advice of his agent Margaretta. As the cast he assembles are still available even at Christmas and are prepared to do it on a 'profit sharing' basis (that is, they may not get paid anything) he cannot expect - and does not get - the cream of the cream. But although they all bring their own problems and foibles along, something bigger starts to emerge in the perhaps aptly named village of Hope.

Michael Maloney
Joe

Richard Briers
Henry

Joan Collins
Margaretta

Nicholas Farrell
Tom Newman

Julia Sawalha
Nina

Celia Imrie
Fadge

John Sessions
Terry Du Bois

Jennifer Saunders
Nancy

Gerard Horan
Carnforth

Mark Hadfield
Vernon Spatch
Hetta Charnley
Molly

Adrian Scarborough
Young actor

Brian Pettifer
Ventriloquist

Patrick Doyle
Scotsman

Shaun Prendergast
Mule Train Man
Allie Byrne
Tap Dancer

Katy Carmichael
Mad Puppet Woman
Ann Davies
Mrs Branch
James D. White
Tim
Robert Hines
Mortimer
Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh
Released